What are everyone's thoughts on the new announcement of the Ubuntu Phone? There's been a lot of buzz here on dA with people making designs and posting interesting mock-ups. But is this something you could see yourself using in conjunction with your Ubuntu desktop/laptop?

I actually don't think I will use it......ever, canonical continues to disappoint me so does Mr. Shuttleworth. been using Ubuntu since 2004 may 1st yeah that's the exact date I installed ubuntu for the first time, and installed over a completely good Sarge install.

Ah, easier. Your freedom is what we fight for, but you don't have to take it or even value it. But Free Software will still be here, defending a patch of safety where you can come if ever your relationship with Apple becomes unbearably abusive.

btw, Free and Open Source isn't a company. It's a social movement to defend your rights as a user of technology. Some people get confused about that.

I actually know lots of people who want to leave Microsoft and Apple, and can't. I don't really understand people who find no fault with Apple, but I certainly understand people who are trapped on those platforms.

I'll have to disagree with you about the better design, it's average design by Ubuntu standards these days. Apple just aren't leading design any more.

I don't think anyone leads design anymore. Everything is at a point it was at about 10 years ago: the companies have matched each other. Hardware design is what I mean by better design, although I consider iOS to be more put together than Android and Windows Phone just looks cheap (and apparently it's so cheap that WP8 doesn't have a notification center). I'm hoping that Apple will gain it's bearings back in Software design since Jony Ive now heads software development in Cupertino.

Not really. It just all depends on what you do and how you use it. If you can use Ubuntu better than OS X and Windows than have at it and don't let anyone change your mind, but no OS is exactly the same, even on mobile. For example, I've never had trouble with Windows (I've used everything from Windows 95 to XP.) and I'm bad on Mac's but I'd be willing to learn to use OS X if I could afford a newer Mac just for a better experience between my iPad, iPhone, and computer. It's all about how the individual views it.

PS: Windows 8 and I do actually have a problem, and I think I'm going to move to Chrome OS.

This is where I disagree. As a programmer I can see the damage that Apple and Microsoft have on computer science, government autonomy and our efficiency to use computers. But all those issues are not direct concerns of individuals.

Now you say that the only thing that matters is how you use it. Yes, but then in a more socially responsible way; No. It's like many other political and social issues of today like climate change or food security. Where individual actions do matter, but only very slightly overall. Why should individuals be responsible for considering and thinking about software as a science or a political issue.

And the fact is, we don't expect people to do that any more. It's not enough to have software that's good for you, it's got to be tasty too. and you can see we've worked really hard over the past 20 years to make FOSS more useful and accessible to everyone. Problem is, those political issues don't go away just because we've sugar coated them. And so, you'll see I get testy when users say that Free Software is exactly the same as proprietary software and only the technical matter. Because really, the technical are not the most important parts of what this industrial revolution is about.

I have been excited to see something like this for a really long time. I just hope oems and everyone jump on board with the operating system. I would hate it if it fell short and the only option is to download it from the website. If people actually saw it in the mobile stores word would get out faster and Ubuntu would rise to fame. Personally, I can't stand Apple's way of business anymore. I think people need to look at what Ubuntu has to offer.

As far as the os design.... I LOVE IT! I wouldn't have thought of that stuff in a million years. It really ties together the desktop and phone. I hope to see this come to life at some point this year.

i like it enough to actually make me want to get a smart phone when it becomes available. if i actually have the money to get one is a different story but i haven't really seen a smartphone i'd want until now. probably wouldn't go for one of the higher powered docking versions, since i actually have a desktop, but i can see how companies could find that useful especially if the dock would back up information every time it was docked. sometimes phones do get broken or lost after all.

I was pleased to see the announcement on the BBCs Google plus channel. Surprised and delighted at the prospect of open source power in the pocket, but, have reservations about the hardware it is being launched with. I'm looking forward to seeing lite versions cropping up on other devices.

I really like the idea maybe for a tablet, and I'll stick it on my Android tab when it's released, but I think for a standard 3.5"-4" screen it'll just be cluttered... But then, it's Ubuntu and so customisable... I don't know, time will tell I suppose, I can't wait to see if Apple will just turn a blind eye or maybe steal the technology and copyright it?